Out of This World

Scripture – John 15:18-21:“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) As I’m writing this, my daughter is scheduled to have surgery on one of her knees in a couple hours. So I find it hard to concentrate on this today. I’m just aware Jesus lifts up an on-going tension in my life – living in the world without belonging to it. There are things in this world that try to hold on to me and keep me captive. As much as I’m tempted to hang on to some of them, He continues set me free.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will keep my vision lifted up toward Christ – especially throughout this morning.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you, Lord, for your peace and strength. Please keep your hand on us all today. Bring healing and wholeness and a new freedom from the perspective of this world.